The Impact of the Economic Crisis on European Environmental Policy

The European Union (EU) has sought to establish itself as a global environmental leader but was hit by the combined effects of the economic and financial crisis from 2007-8, calling into doubt its ability to continue to adopt ambitious environmental policy. This edited collection brings together leading scholars to analyse the impacts of the crisis upon environmental policy in the EU and its member states. The Index of Policy Activity (IPA) is applied systematically across the cases, which combine quantitative with qualitative analysis. Non-European cases are also included to provide a counterpoint for comparison. We find that whilst the EU has not actively dismantled environmental policy, its economic policies have had negative effects upon some states prompting domestic dismantling. The book contributes to scholarship on environmental policy and public administration, by combining empirical and methodological insights, to give an up-to-date perspective on the impact of crisis upon European environmental policy.